Reviewer:
Cavem4n
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 4, 2020
Subject:
Hailed by some as a masterpiece.
My own view is - good lyrics, but stop putting an effort into trying to sing! You can't do it anymore - just let it out in your natural, cracked and broken voice. Sort of like old, worn, and much loved leather.
Over half a century ago you didn't try either, but you were young then, so it worked and you got away with it. We listened to what you had to say.
It will work like that again, if you let it.
Key West is full of imagery, references (a lot of that in this album), with a moody and evocative, laid back accompaniment.
Crossing The Rubicon gets close to what Dylan does best. I think I can listen to this a few times and pick out new imagery every time.
I've Made up My Mind To Give Myself To You is a nice song kind of reminiscent of his earlier, Spanish influenced stuff. His voice cracks and croaks. And that's fine.
Goodbye Jimmy Reed is a strong, vibrant, rocking song, a good match for his present day voice.
Mother Of Muses 'sing for me.' On this one I wish she had!
False Prophet is where Dylan really shows his song writing credentials once again. No wonder this was one of the pre-release songs.
I Contain Multitudes. Because of the lyrics and multiple references, a joy to listen to, though strangely, not particularly tuneful. 'Another masterpiece. The infinite genius Bob Dylan knocks it out of the park again. What a blessing to live in the same time period as this legend.' - Robert Fripp, King Crimson.
Murder Most Foul. At almost 17 minutes this was Dylan's first release in 8 years, and it makes me want to cry. Almost every line is cleverly constructed in a stream of references. Beautiful. Haunting.